What Meghan Markle's mum Doria can expect during her first Christmas with the royals

Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, is just weeks away from spending her first Christmas with the royal family.

In an unprecedented move, the Queen has reportedly extended an invitation for Ragland to join senior members of the royal family for three days of holiday festivities at Sandringham House. The invite is believed by royal insiders to be a sign of the Queen's affection for Markle, who doesn't have any family in the UK.

In an interview withGrazia magazine, Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, gave a rundown of what Ragland can expect during her time with the royals.

According to Seward, Ragland will arrive with the rest of the family on Christmas Eve at Sandringham, the Queen's private estate in Norfolk, for three days filled with family activities, lots of wardrobe changes and, as expected, plenty of rules to follow.

"After her luggage is unloaded, there will be a present-giving ceremony after tea," Seward said, noting that there will be nothing informal about the festivities. Gifts will be opened in order of precedence but don't expect the Windsors to be exchanging pricey designer goods. "There are mainly useful things, such as homemade jams, china or curios bought from county fairs."

Rumour has it that Prince Harry once gifted his grandmother a shower cap that read, "Ain't life a bitch." Last year, during her first holiday with the monarch, Markle gifted the Queen a singing hamster.

"Then it will be lethal martinis and a black-tie dinner," Seward explained, noting that the Queen comes up with a seating chart for dinner. "There's a really careful old-fashioned placement... It's always boy-girl, boy-girl."

On Christmas Day, the royals attend church at 11am. before returning for lunch, where everyone gathers for a traditional carving of the turkey, Christmas crackers. Oh, and and everyone (except the Queen) is expected to wear their paper hats.

After lunch, it's time for the Queen's televised speech and a "brisk walk" around the grounds to "make room for more food." Christmas tea is followed by a short siesta before dinner, giving guests plenty of time to gear up for another luxurious meal.

Like most families, Christmas with the royals revolves around eating — and there's one royal tradition that the Queen still follows to ensure her guests are leaving with full stomachs.

Seward says that all guests are weighed on antique scales when they arrive at Sandringham and when they leave. The expert explained the tradition dates back to King Edward VII, who was known for his hearty appetite, and wanted to make sure that all of his guests were "well fed."

Boxing Day for the family will be dedicated to a day of shooting but Seward reveals that Markle and Ragland will not be required to join "unless they want to."

With another American among their ranks, Seward says the royals will most likely let it slide if Ragland flubs some royal protocol.

"It is unusual for an outsider to be invited, but the royal family does change," she added. "I'm sure the royals will do everything in their power to make Doria feel at home."

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave Westminster Abbey, London, after attending a National Service to mark the centenary of the Armistice.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wear traditional Maori cloaks called a Korowai during a visit to Te Papaiouru, Ohinemutu, in Rotorua, before a lunch in honour of Harry and Meghan, on day four of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Te Papaiouru, Ohinemutu, in Rotorua, before a lunch in honour of Harry and Meghan, on day four of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duchess of Sussex waves to the crowds at Government Gardens during their visit to Rotorua, New Zealand on October 31, 2018.
(Photo by Alan Gibson/New Zealand Herald/Sipa USA)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a visit to the Kiwi Breeding Programme at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, New Zealand, on day four of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk through a forest during a visit to Redwoods Tree Walk and Mountain Biking Showcase in Rotorua, New Zealand, on day four of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wear traditional Maori cloaks called Korowai during a visit to Te Papaiouru, Ohinemutu, in Rotorua, before a lunch in honour of Harry and Meghan, on day four of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

Meghan Duchess of Sussex attends a reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, on day three of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS

The Duchess of Sussex presents an award to En-Hakkorey Lautasi Pepese during a visit to Pillars, in Auckland, New Zealand, which is a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison by providing special mentoring schemes, on day three of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (right) during a visit to Pillars, in Auckland, New Zealand, which is a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison by providing special mentoring schemes, on day three of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex take part in the dedication of the Carol Whaley Native Bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. They also planted two trees and took part in a Welly Wanging contest which Team Duchess of Sussex won at Redvale, North Shore,
New Zealand. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS

Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex take part in the dedication of the Carol Whaley Native Bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. They also planted two trees and took part in a Welly Wanging contest which Team Duchess of Sussex won at Redvale, North Shore,
New Zealand. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stand under an umbrella during a heavy downpour of rain as they attend a dedication of an area of bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, in Redvale on the North Shore, on day three of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duchess of Sussex takes part in a welly wanging contest following a dedication of an area of bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, in Redvale on the North Shore, on day three of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for a photo with actors in costume during a visit to Courtenay Creative, in Wellington, on day two of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are greeted by actors in costume as they arrive for a visit to Courtenay Creative, in Wellington, on day two of the royal couple's tour of New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, ahead of meeting with young people in the mental health sector at the Wellington Cafe, Wellington, New Zealand.

FRENSHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 04: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the wedding of Charlie Van Straubenzee on August 4, 2018 in Frensham, United Kingdom. Prince Harry attended the same prep school as Charlie van Straubenzee and have been good friends ever since. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wave from the Ascot Landau Carriage during their carriage procession on the Long Walk as they head back towards Windsor Castle in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) removes the veil of US actress Meghan Markle (L) as they stand at the altar together before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (C) in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 during their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Owen Humphreys / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read OWEN HUMPHREYS/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex kisses his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as they leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Danny Lawson / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DANNY LAWSON/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex kisses his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as they leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex emerge from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 after their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / various sources / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend an engagement at the charity, 'Survivors' Network' during an official visit to Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom. The Duke and Duchess married on May 19th 2018 in Windsor and were conferred The Duke & Duchess of Sussex by The Queen. (Photo by WPA Pool/Getty Images)

WIDNES, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's hair is blown in the wind as she attends a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair will open a road bridge in Widnes and visit The Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

WIDNES, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II attend a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair will open a road bridge in Widnes and visit The Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the University of Chichester, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, as part of their first joint official visit to Sussex. Picture date: Wednesday October 3rd, 2018. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/ EMPICS.

Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, pictured at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, where she met the President of Ireland, Michael Higgins. Picture date: Wednesday July 11th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/ EMPICS Entertainment.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London which they are attending as their first royal engagement as a married couple.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wedding date announced as May 19, 2018.
File Photo by: KGC-03/STAR MAX/IPx
2017
11/27/17
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. His Royal Highness Prince Harry Of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle are engaged to be married. The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. The couple became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry informed The Queen and other close members of his family and also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle's parents.
(London, England, UK)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wedding date announced as May 19, 2018.
File Photo by: KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx
2017
11/27/17
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. His Royal Highness Prince Harry Of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle are engaged to be married. The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. The couple became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry informed The Queen and other close members of his family and also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle's parents.
(London, England, UK)

In this photo released by Kensington Palace on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose an official engagement photo, at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England. (Alexi Lubomirski via AP)

In this photo released by Kensington Palace on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for one of two official engagement photos, at Frogmore House, in Windsor, England. (Alexi Lubomirski via AP)